FIRST Tech Challenge

Think like an engineer and create a robot! Team up to build a motorized model while diving into tthe basics of science, design, and engineering.

What is FIRST Tech Challenge?

Students collaborate to build and program robots that compete on a 12' x 12' field. Each year brings a new challenge designed to develop critical thinking and expand knowledge of the engineering design process.

Students learn valuable skills by working in a team. Setting and achieving goals and being accountable to themselves and their team members. 

FIRST® Tech Challenge is an international program with over 3,000 teams globally. Students gain hands-on experience with real engineering tools and processes.

What Teams Do

Robot Season (September - January):

• Meet 2-3 times per week designing, building and programming robots
• Document work in an engineering notebook - tracking design iterations, programming changes and team goals and objectives.
• Prepare for tournaments from September through January

Community Outreach: Teams connect with their local engineering community through activities like:

• Meeting other robotics teams in the area
• Recruiting students to join the team
• Contacting local businesses for fundraising
• Demonstrating robots at Minnetonka Robot Day
• Visits with STEM professionals
• Volunteering

Minnetonka FTC Details

What's Included:

• All robot materials (Robot kit, control systems, sensors, game elements)
• Tournament registrations and fees
• FIRST Tech Challenge t-shirt for each participant
• Coaching materials, training and ongoing support

Meeting Schedule: Team meeting times will be set based on coaches' and participants' availability once teams are formed.

Minnetonka Middle School West FTC Details

What's Included:

• All robot materials (Robot kit, control systems, sensors, game elements)
• Tournament registrations and fees
• FIRST Tech Challenge t-shirt for each participant
• Coaching materials, training and ongoing support

Meeting Schedule: Team meeting times will be on Mondays at the start of the season and adding Thursdays midway through. 

To Know: If you are apart of a blended team (other schools), please sign up for our general FTC registration.  The MMW team is meant for MMW students only.

Season Timeline

• Challenge Release & Kickoff: Early September at TBD location
• Registration Deadline: Friday, September 4th
• Team Assignments: Tuesday, September 8th
• Regional Competitions: September - January
• State Tournament (must qualify): February

Exact tournament dates will be announced by FIRST Minnesota

Parent Involvement Required

This program requires active parent participation. We depend on families to make our teams successful through:

• Coaching and mentoring students during meetings
• Supervising team activities
• Providing snacks and refreshments for meetings
• Transportation to tournaments and events
• Tournament support as volunteers and spectators

Ready to Get Involved?

This team-based program develops leadership, teamwork and technical skills while building excitement around science and technology.

Parents: Please indicate your interest in coaching on the registration form. We'll provide everything you need to succeed, including training and ongoing support.

Visit the FIRST website for complete program details.